Word isolating educational tool

ABSTRACT

An educational device and method in which a user can learn the pronunciation and meaning of words using a word isolator with a window and a slide. The word isolator is placed over the unfamiliar word. The slide is manipulated to expose only a portion of the word at a time, thereby helping the user break down and identify the unfamiliar word.

This application is a continuation of prior patent application Ser. No. 10/716,339, filed Nov. 18, 2003 and claims the benefit thereof. Application Ser. No. 10/716,339 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to educational devices. More specifically, the invention relates to reading, spelling, pronunciation and vocabulary educational devices, and many other creative uses.

Methods and devices for teaching or learning how to read are known in the art. These methods often provide a reference guide with keys to pronunciation using pictures to show how a letter or group of letters sounds. Some use question and answer methods. Others use a technique of lining up the word with a picture representing that word. Some devices have a movable slide or wheel that changes the letters so the user can form his own words. Still others have a mechanism that exposes an additional letter of a word with each move for a predetermined list of words.

The prior art devices and methods have their value, but none of them addresses the needs of a slightly more advanced reader. In addition, the prior art devices are often large, rigid and cumbersome. Many of them only have a limited number of available words to teach. As the user develops more reading ability, he “outgrows” many of the prior art devices. Other prior art devices prove frustrating to more advanced readers because they are too inconvenient to carry and use with more advanced reading materials. Therefore, what is needed is a new device and method that will allow a user with some reading skills to ascertain the pronunciation and meaning of unfamiliar words.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool to enable one to learn the pronunciation and meaning of words.

In accordance with this object, this invention is intended to provide a method of using a tool that isolates a portion of a word to enable one to look to familiar syllables and root words to learn the pronunciation, meaning and remember the spelling of words.

Still other objects, advantages, distinctions and alternative constructions and/or combinations of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. This description should not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device, a kit and a method for helping an individual learn the pronunciation, spelling and meaning of a word. The device comprises a word isolator including a window and a slide. The window is placed over the unfamiliar word. The slide can cover the entire word, expose just a portion of the word, or expose the entire word. In practice, the user, when faced with an unfamiliar word, places the word isolator over the word with the slide fully covering the word. He gradually moves the slide to expose part of the word through the window. The user then uses his knowledge of individual letter sounds, such as consonants and vowels, and multiple letter sounds, such as consonant blends, diphthongs, prefixes and suffixes to determine the pronunciation of a syllable. Then he exposes the word, syllable by syllable, until the user can pronounce the unfamiliar word.

The present invention can also be used to help determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word. The user places the word isolator over the text with the slide moved so the root of the unfamiliar word is exposed in the window. The user ascertains the meaning of the root of the word, and then he adds the meaning of the prefix or suffix to the word to learn the meaning of the unfamiliar word. In the case of a compound word, the user can expose one word of the compound word at a time to understand the meaning of the whole word. Use of the word isolator may even encourage some students to read because, just when frustration sets in at finding an unfamiliar word, the student is empowered with a learning tool that appears to be a toy.

In addition, the present invention can be provided in a kit form. The user obtains a kit which includes the parts of the word isolator, in unassembled form. The parts may be pre-cut individual pieces, a perforated template, or a pre-printed template for cutting. The user then follows the directions to assemble and use the word isolator.

The present invention can be provided in pattern form. Once the pattern is provided, the user can make the word isolator out of any convenient material, in any quantity. Once traced from the pattern, the user can enlarge or shrink the tracing to customize the word isolator for his particular use.

The word isolator can be used in various sizes and types of books. Unlike any known prior art, the structure of the word isolator allows it to flex along the curve of the page of a book. One embodiment contains a flap that can be lifted to expose the entire window for large fonts, or folded partially down to create windows of various heights for words written in smaller fonts.

The word isolator can be used in learning games. For example, the word starts totally concealed. The teacher tells the students a category. The word is revealed one letter at a time until a student guesses the word. Another game could include covering one of the student's spelling words. The student says one letter at a time until the word is spelled correctly. If the student makes a mistake, he covers the word and starts again.

Additionally, the word isolator can be used in other subjects. For example, the answers to math problems can be covered with the slide, and uncovered after the student works the problem. Adults and children learning English as a second language can use this device to help master their new language. It can be used as a study aid for any kind of fill-in-the-blank type of worksheet. Once the student fills in the worksheet, he uses the word isolator to hide the answers during review and self study. The word isolator will encourage the student to study because of the positive reinforcement felt as he uncovers each correct answer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the word isolator with its slide shown within the window.

FIG. 2 is a template for the window portion of the preferred embodiment of the word isolator.

FIG. 3 is a template for the slide portion of the preferred embodiment of the word isolator.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the word isolator shown exposing part of a word.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the word isolator shown exposing the whole word.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the word isolator along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is one embodiment of a template for a user assembled word isolator.

FIG. 8 is one embodiment of a pattern for use in creating multiple or custom sized word isolators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention may be formed from separable components referred to as the window portion 20, and the slide portion 30, which can be easily assembled with one another to form a completed construction. Window portion 20 includes slots 40A and 40B extending adjacent the top and bottom of an opening 35A. The slide portion 30 has tabs 50A and 50B near a first end of the slide portion 30, which tabs extend through slots 40A and 40B in the window portion 20 to secure the slide portion 30 and the window portion 20 to one another. A handle 60 is preferably provided near the second end of the slide portion 30 which extends from the window portion 20.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the separable components of the word isolator 10. FIG. 2 shows a template for the window portion 20 of the word isolator 10. Openings 35A and 35B are cut so they align with one another when the window portion 20 is folded along line 25. Slots 40A and 40B are preferably cut so they are approximately equidistant from the opening 35A. FIG. 3 shows a template for the slide of the word isolator 10. To construct the word isolator, tabs 50A and 50B are folded at lines 55A and 55B, respectively and they are inserted into slots 40A and 40B, respectively, of window portion 20. Then tabs 50A and 50B are folded down against the window portion 20, creating a “wrapping” effect. Next, the window portion 20 is folded along line 25, lining up openings 35A and 35B. Finally, the handle 60 is created by folding slide portion 30 at line 65.

Use of the word isolator is shown in FIG. 4. The slide portion 30 is placed inside the window portion 20 covering most of the unfamiliar word UNCOVERING. The letters UN show through the opening 35, and the letters COVERING are masked by the slide portion 30. The user first determines the sound of the letters in the first syllable UN, then he uncovers the next portion, COV and determines its pronunciation. He continues uncovering the syllables ER and ING until he determines the pronunciation of the entire word. The user also notes the meaning of the prefix UN, the root word COVER, and the suffix ING to learn the meaning of the word. FIG. 5 shows the entire word UNCOVERING exposed by the slide portion 30 in the opening 35.

FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the word isolator looking along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1. The window portion 20 is shown folded along line 25. The handle 60 is shown folded up along line 65. The tabs 50A and 50B are folded at lines 55A and 55B respectively and inserted into slots 40A and 40B respectively. Tabs 50A and 50B are then folded down and in towards the opening 35A of the word portion 20 creating the “wrapping” effect referenced above.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present invention when provided in a template form. The template 60 includes the window portion 70 and the slide portion 90 with markings for the window cutouts 75A and 75B, the slots 80A and 80B for the slide portion flaps 95A and 95B, and the handle 100. The template 60 may include perforated lines for easy removal of the pieces, or it may be pre-printed for cutting.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the present invention when provided in pattern form. Once the pattern 110 is obtained, the user can make the word isolator out of any convenient material, in any quantity. After tracing an outline from the pattern 110, the user can enlarge or shrink the tracing to customize the word isolator for his particular use. For example, a teacher would use a large word isolator at the chalk board for demonstration purposes, while the students use smaller ones at their desks. The word isolator could also be customized to accommodate various fonts as found in many early reading books.

The word isolator can be used in learning games. For example, the teacher starts with a word or an answer totally concealed. The teacher tells the students the category for the word, or asks a question. The word is revealed one letter at a time until a student guesses the correct answer. Another game could include covering one of the student's spelling words. The teacher points to a student and that student says the first or next letter of the spelling word. Play continues until the word is spelled correctly. The students could use the word isolator for independent play and study also. The student spells the word to himself uncovering one letter at a time. If the student makes a mistake, he covers the word and starts again.

Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art can, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. In addition, specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and description in this disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. 

1. A word isolator device comprising: a thin, elongated base portion having a medially disposed aperture therethrough to define a viewing window through said base portion and to permit observation from a point above said base portion through said aperture of a location below said base portion, a thin, elongated slide member sized and dimensioned to substantially fully occlude said viewing window when positioned in general alignment with said viewing window, said slide member including at least one flange projecting therefrom, said base portion and said slide member being positionable and complementarily engageable when said flange is folded to engage a portion of said base member to permit slidable movement therebetween between a first position in which the viewing window is substantially fully occluded by said slide member and a second position in which the viewing window is substantially fully unoccluded by said slide member, said viewing member being partially occluded at intermediate positions, said engaged base portion and slide member being positionable to rest upon a generally flat surface to encompass within the outline of said viewing window text appearing on said generally flat surface and to uncover the text encompassed within the outline of the viewing window in a direction to allow exposure of the text as it is written as said slide member is slidably moved relative to said base portion from said first position to said second position.
 2. The word isolator device of claim 1 wherein said base portion comprises a sheet-like member folded over on to itself to define upper and lower portions and an intermediate slot therebetween, said upper portion at least partially overlapping said lower portion, said upper and lower portions each including an elongated opening therein, said elongated openings being generally sized and aligned with one another to form said aperture through said base portion and to permit observation from a point above said upper portion through said aligned openings of a location below said lower portion, said slide member is sized and dimensioned to fit within said intermediate slot of said base portion and to be slidably movable therein to substantially fully occlude said viewing window when in a first position, to substantially fully expose said viewing window when in a second position, and to partially occlude said viewing window when intermediate said first and second positions.
 3. The word isolator of claim 2 wherein said lower portion includes an outer surface, said outer surface being adapted to abuttingly engage a generally flat surface when said base portion is rested thereon.
 4. A word isolator device comprising: a thin, elongated base portion having a medially disposed aperture therethrough to define a viewing window through said base portion and to permit observation from a point above said base portion through said aperture of a location below said base portion, said base member including at least one flange projecting therefrom, a thin, elongated slide member sized and dimensioned to substantially fully occlude said viewing window when positioned in general alignment with said viewing window, said base portion and said slide member being positionable and complementarily engageable when said flange is folded to engage a portion of said slide member to permit slidable movement therebetween between a first position in which the viewing window is substantially fully occluded by said slide member and a second position in which the viewing window is substantially fully unoccluded by said slide member, said viewing member being partially occluded at intermediate positions, said engaged base portion and slide member being positionable to rest upon a generally flat surface to encompass within the outline of said viewing window text appearing on said generally flat surface and to uncover the text encompassed within the outline of the viewing window in a direction to allow exposure of the text as it is written as said slide member is slidably moved relative to said base portion from said first position to said second position.
 5. An educational tool comprising: a base portion including an aperture, a slide portion sized to substantially occlude the aperature including at least one flange projecting therefrom, said at least one flange foldably engageable with said base portion to create a moveable relationship between said base portion and said slide portion, said base portion positionable to rest on a surface including text with characters so the aperture isolates at least some portion of text, said slide portion moveable from a position substantially occluding the aperture and concealing the text isolated by the aperture in the in a direction to expose individual characters of text until all the characters of the text are exposed.
 6. The educational tool of claim 5 wherein the individual characters of text appear substantially horizontal.
 7. The educational tool of claim 5 wherein the individual characters of text appear substantially vertical.
 8. The educational tool of claim 5 wherein the base portion and slide portion are made of a material with a thickness rating in the range of approximately 16-150 lbs.
 9. The educational tool of claim 5 wherein the base portion and slide portion are made of plastic. 